Suffering…Learning ….Teaching
Love conquers all…
That’s a religious statement!
Very superstitious, another says!!
Quite hypothetical and has not been empirically proven, many chatter!!!
I have battled whether or not to share this piece as the past couple of months have been challenging for me, especially as it pertains to my love life.
Without revealing much which I believe your imagination would capture, I have pondered hard and long on the varying definitions and assumptions there are about love. Some of which are:
Love is a feeling
This suggests that love is a complex and irrational emotion which tosses like a yo-yo instead of a conscious decision that stands firm. Emotions oscillate like 
pendulums: they can be up one minute and down the other. That somewhat explains the increasing divorce records – there is no resolution among couples neither is there commitment to the vows they make. Words are no longer bonds. Prenups act as security while the threat is the alimony. “So, hey if you like mess with me…just be prepared to watch me walk!” they say.
Love is isn’t always “me first,” It doesn’t fly off the handle, doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth… 1 Corinthians 13:5,6
Love is temporal
I’ve heard it time and time again – “all good things must come to an end”. Seriously? Following the first point, it is largely believed that love has a beginning, grows overtime and can come to an end. You can have it till the 
moment it expires. The expiration can be triggered by anything from lingering desires to new taste. Love can be switched on and off. Where then is the unrelenting, enduring, and stable force which in times past has overcome hate, heal hurt and stood the test of time?
Love is always patient; love is always kind … Love never comes to an end… 1 Corinthians 13:4,8
Love is conditional
Love is subject to conditions. This is a widely portrayed on our screens, society and homes. The modus operandi here is ‘Tit-for-Tat’ where the love lasts for as 
long as both parties are compliant to the set rules. When a road block is encountered and the ‘real’ looks nothing like the ‘ideal’ situation or environment, burst goes the love. When the going gets tough, the tough get going is not quite held here; and although the lovers agree, love is sacrificial, there is a caveat, contract, and condition to the cost requirements.
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:7
After all is said and done, love wins! Quite frankly, there is no winning without a fight. There is no middle ground, your are either fighting and taking ground or losing! Overcomers scale walls, obstacles and challenges to enjoy the breakthroughs, loots and trophies. Let love conquer, fight for it!
Other Valentine Editions
Love at the Upper Room – You Showed Me
Beloved
Come and see the man!
Will you be mine?
His Love, My Salvation
Because He Loved Me
Endless Love
You qualify!
I Love You
What do you know?
The quality of your life is linked to what you know. Coming to this realization should redefine your understanding of knowledge as merely being power to life itself.
Most people spend their whole life acquiring or sharing knowledge. You are either getting to know someone or something, or groups of people or market are coming to the knowledge of you. Did you even know that your value or worth in life is tied to what, who and where you know (people, places, things, experiences, proclivities, abilities, and skills)?
A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash. Proverbs 15:14
The major difference between children and parents, proteges, mentors, students, and professionals is knowledge – the former is still learning while the latter is applying what they have learnt.
If you have good sense, instruction will help you to have even better sense. And if you live right, education will help you to know even more. Proverbs 9:9
Let’s define life as the “experience of being alive or the state or mode of being”. I believe there are 3 levels of life or living:
- Inferior: Low in quality, status and below reference point this insignificant.
- Mediocre: Moderate therefor lacking exceptional quality or ability.
- Superior: High or rich in quality, influence, performance, and significance. This is the ‘abundant life’ Jesus describes devoid of theft, death, and destruction.
Now here’s the test – do you know how you got here and why you’re still here? Do you know Jesus? Do you know me?😃 Be a knowledge savvy! Continue learning!! Get to know!!!
…for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Timothy 1:12b
Too many to count!
Happy New Year Friend!
Welcome to your year of fulfilment and super-abundance.
As you may know, it is my custom to start every new year from the book of Genesis – the book that records the beginning of everything. So our text today is from Genesis 15.
- After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”
- But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?”
- And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”
- Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.”
- He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
The scripture opens up with the phrase ‘after this’ indicating a time lapse, periodic shift or new season. And with the new season came a new word from the Lord! Pay attention to the mode of communication – through vision.
Vision is a clear mental picture of a desirable future. Vision usually translates into mission which is one’s life ambition and greatest expectation. Vision speaks of purpose and destiny. Friend, God will speak to you through visions, signs, and languages you’ll understand. Your eyes will be opened to see things that will change the way you perceive everything. You’ll get a new perspective on that family, house, job, health, financial or RuBo (Ruth-Boaz) issue. Holla a praise if you believe it
Abram saw something he could not un-see. Something no one could talk him out of, all because God spoke. That’s all you need in this new year friend – God, a word … a fresh vision!
If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. Proverbs 29:18
Some time may have passed but the appointed time came. You may be wondering why God didn’t come through last or the year before that, and beyond. That’s because those years had to pass for this to come, and for God to impart a new vision to you through his word. Your time has come! Favour has found you and hand-picked you among many. Watch what God did, before he began saying anything. He called Abram by name. Oh what joy that is – to be called by God! He knows your name and your name is being called, Friend!
…… I have called you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1b
God’s word to Abram was in 3 parts.
- Do not fear – I understand what you’ve just been through is terrifying, (four kings against one prince of God) but keep your focus on me. Don’t you get shaky or weak in faith. Keep believing!
- I am your shield – in other words, I’ve got your back. I can and will protect you against your enemies.
- Your reward shall be very great – I can give you over and above what ‘kings’ may promise. I am a faithful rewarder and because you have been loyal and trustworthy, I will repay you!
Friend, it is pay day! That’s enough to get me spinning, I don’t know about you. Abram’s response to God is profound because he simply zoned in on his need without beating about the bush. God, since you can do all this, he said “what could You possibly give to me that would make that much of a difference in my life? After all, I am still childless, and Eliezer of Damascus stands to inherit all I own. Since You have not given me the gift of children, my only heir will be one of the servants born in my household.”
Doesn’t that sound like most of us? I want you to note his approach because I believe it’s key. Often times it’s not so much so what we say; rather, how we say them determine our outcomes. Abram used no sarcasm, dysphemism or verbosity nor did he murmur or complain, rather he presented strong and valid reasons before God.
“Present your case,” says the LORD. “Set forth your arguments,” says Jacob’s King. You don’t get what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And when you do ask he doesn’t give it to you, for you ask in quite the wrong spirit. Isaiah 41:21, James 4: 2b-3a
What is that thing you need God to do for you? Can I encourage you to present your case and to ask in the right spirit? Scripture records the word of the Lord came a second time in response to Abram’s petition. Friend, you will get an answer. God will respond.
I love the fact that God didn’t just stop at speaking, he progressed onto taking Abram outside to show him something. Sometimes, all God needs to do is to bring you out so you can see. Selah! A change of position can change your perception which will change your tradition and bring about new actions. When you get to this stage, you already have a new orientation. Friend, God will show you something!
When God gave Abram the directives to look up to the sky and count the stars, he was getting him to take his eyes off limitations by giving him a limitless view. Abram went from mentioning one servant to counting stars.
You probably have been counting pennies, God’s giving you thousands, millions, billions and some more to count. This is an easy thing for him. No, your servant will not be your heir. Your present condition is undergoing revision. Your troubles won’t last always. ‘This’ too shall pass!
For Abram, ‘this’ was the battle of the kings, Lot’s captivity and the recovery. Perhaps your ‘this’ includes some battles and losses in 2014 which you probably haven’t fully recovered from; but after ‘this’ or ‘that’ even, comes now – 2015 when God is restructuring things. Instead of battles, you will have peace and in place of all your losses, you will have surplus.
Double honour is your portion! You will have joy unlimited. Your vats will overflow. There shall be super-abundance. God has opened up the floodgates of heaven and emptied on you blessings without measure. Too many to count!
You will receive a double measure of wealth instead of your shame. You will sing about your wealth instead of being disgraced. That is why you will have a double measure of wealth in your land. You will have everlasting joy. Isaiah 61:7
Best at last!
But you remain the same, and your years will never end.
Psalm 102:27
Please excuse the typos … I just needed to get the word out. I woke up today pondering on the phrase… and the wine ran out… John 2:3
What do you do when you find out in the middle of your celebration, the wine has run out? This is similar to running out of finances, facing health issues, losing a loved one, job or house. You open your eyes and it’s just you and your bride or closest family on the dance floor, as the guests or fair-weather friends have all dispersed because they can no longer get merry at your expense. Imagine that for second. That reinforced my belief that people may stick around you primarily for their own benefit and not necessarily for yours. Nonetheless, Jesus was on the guest list.
The Invitation
This couple in Cana could have invited brewers, caterers, designers and other movers and shakers but instead they resolved to invite Jesus. The carpenters son, miracle worker, Messiah…… or whatever their reason. An invitation means your partnership is valuable, your presence is welcome and your participation is much desired.
So they really wanted him there perhaps simply to share their joy not knowing he could and would do more for them. Have you invited Jesus to be a part of what you are doing at present?
Listen! I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into his home and share a meal with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20
The Situation
Mary: The wine is out, Jesus!
Jesus: What do I have to do with you, Woman?
I have lived long enough to learn everyone’s got issues. The tall, short, black, white, affluent and wretched all have their various problems. Some do good to acknowledge them while others choose to live in denial but that changes nothing. Putting all her prestige aside, Mary stepped out to inform Jesus about the situation disregarding his initial response.
Often times we abuse certain privileges in life due to familiarity. There is no way Jesus could have stayed through this party and watch things go bad without bettering it. It’s important however the attendees recognized they had an issue. What’s your problem?
17 Teacher, I have brought my son to You. He is filled with an unclean spirit. He cannot speak, 18 and when the spirit takes control of him, he is thrown to the ground to wail and moan, to foam at the mouth, to grind his teeth, and to stiffen up. I brought him to Your followers, but they could do nothing with him. Can You help us? Mark 9
The Petition
One of the most indirect directives I dislike is ‘’Jean, would you like to?’’ or like in this passage, ‘’we don’t have …….’’. In other words, go do it … go find that number! However you look at it, both statements are demanding action.
So when Mary came and told Jesus about the situation, he knew exactly what was required of him however he couldn’t, at least not immediately. Sometimes in life, it may seems some things are beyond us but help is always near. Learn to ask!
The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. Matthew 15:25
The Duration
Jesus is omniscient and I’d like to think that sometime before Mary came to him, he had briefed the disciples backstage that something was about to happen (just my imagination). Standby guys, be alert, we’re on call and about to attend to an emergency!
If he knew, why didn’t he go ahead to prevent it at least to save this couple the shame? But why did he delay??? Jesus, why are you stalling? ‘’My hour has not yet come’’, he said! Hang on, this show is about to go off air if you don’t act now and you say what? Come on Jesus, time is of the essence here!
There is an appointed time for everything. Most people have lost their bearing in life because they are not in synchrony with either heavens or nature’s timing.
For everything and activity under the heavens, there is a specific, allotted time for it!
For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.”
Hebrews 10:37
The Instruction
The first came from Mary: Do whatever he tells you.” Herein Mary reveals the key to receiving God’s best is in Obedience. If we do whatever he bids, then surely the outcome will be phenomenal. The second was from Jesus: ‘’Fill the jars with water’’. Now it might interest you to know that these water pots where used for purification.
All sorts of people with their various impurities would have used this pot; however, when the Master was about to do the miraculous he chose these same pots as instruments. The fact that you were a receptionist for 15 years doesn’t mean you can’t be a Director. I love the way David puts it:
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people. He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD. Psalm 113: 7-9
I am not quite sure when it happened. Perhaps the change happened as the water entered the pots, while drawn out, on its way to the Master of Ceremony or when tasted. The most important thing is that the ordinary became extraordinary. Water turned into wine.
The colourless, tasteless, and odourless became colourful, tasteful and fragrant. That’s what Jesus can do! He can do a new thing in you. He can transform your life. He can turn and shift things in your favour. He can give you new wine….new identity… new possibilities and realities. He can give you living water from the well without having to draw it out. He can quench your thirst.
Scripture says when the MC tasted the wine he did not know where it came from but the servants knew.
That’s the same way people might know where you are coming from but have no clue as to where you are going. They can to an extent describe what you have been and how you used to be, but not quite what you are about to become or how you will be. A change is coming to you. Your testimony is in your tests …. Your message in your mess …. Your triumph in your trial … The MC on tasting the wine said, “You have saved the best for last”. Friend, this is exactly what God is doing on your behalf! Your latter will indeed be greater.
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:19
You’re coming out…loaded!
Hello Friend,
Thank God it’s Friday (TGIF), but more importantly because I heard a word – I am coming out loaded!
Then the LORD said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. And I will cause the Egyptians to look favourably on you. They will give you gifts when you go so you will not leave empty-handed. Genesis 15:13, 14; Exodus 3:21
This text reminds me of a word God spoke to me a few months ago – Fulfillment comes! Take time to read it if you haven’t already. In the text above, God tells Abraham aforetime that his seed would go into slavery and be mistreated.
I would have stopped God right on his tracks if that were me. Excuse me, what kind of a friend are you? The promise is yet to manifest and you’re talking about their imprisonment and maltreatment. Here’s where the tongues begin to roll: ‘ya wukwara njakiri, kwushi ya ooo’ meaning, if it’s a joke, stop it – don’t joke me around, God!
I am so glad He continued to speak despite my jumpiness and oscillating emotions. God said he would punish those folks and cause his covenant people to come out with MANY possessions. Later in Exodus, he put a twist on it confirming that the enemy would look on his people with FAVOUR and GIVE them GIFTS so they do not LEAVE EMPTY-HANDED. Did you notice the specific mention of ‘Egypt’? I dare you to call that thing that’s been tormenting you by name and speak the word of the Lord over it.
So here’s what I heard – you are beloved. If God couldn’t trust you to handle it, he wouldn’t bother putting IT (whatever you might be going through) on you. Secondly, you are where you are on purpose and assignment. You will not spend a second longer than necessary. Thirdly, God will turn it around. Those things that have seemingly punished you will receive a good measure of what was doled you. Fourthly, favour is on you and this favour will attract gifts. Finally, the process is not in vain. You’ll not come out empty-handed. In the end, you’ll have something to show for it – great substance, properties, wealth, riches, goodies – graces!
You’re coming out loaded, Friend!